Guy Hershberger
Encyclopedia
Guy F. Hershberger was an American Mennonite
theologian, educator, historian, and prolific author particularly in the field of Mennonite ethics.
of East Union Amish Mennonite Church, where Sanford C. Yoder was pastor
. He began work as an educator immediately out of high school in 1915 as a teacher in rural schools, where he remained for five years until his marriage to Clara Hooley on 1 August 1920. They had two children who survived into adulthood; Elizabeth (Bauman), born in 1924, and Paul, born 1934. Hershberger then pursued further education, first in the form of an undergraduate degree at Hesston College and then a MA and PhD at the University of Iowa
, where his dissertation was on Quaker Politics in Colonial America
. All the while he worked first as a teacher at Heston Academy (1923–24) and then began his long career as a professor of history, sociology, and ethics at Goshen College
(1925–1966).
In addition to his work as an educator, Hershberger served as chairman of the (Mennonite Church) Committee on Economic and Social Relations (Industrial Relations) from 1939-1965. In 1959, he joined the Mennonite Church's Peace Problems Committee. He played a pivotal role in founding Mennonite Mutual Aid and the Mennonite Community Association. He helped to found the Mennonite Quarterly Review
where he was an editor from 1963–1965 and was on the board of the Mennonite Historical Society, the Mennonite Quarterly Review, and Studies in Anabaptist and Mennonite History. Hershberger was the preeminent Anabaptist-Mennonite historian of his generation.
After spending part of his retirement in Phoenix, AZ
, Hershberger returned to Goshen where he died in 1989. He was survived by his two children, Elizabeth and Paul.
' call to love one's enemies that Hershberger made one of his most foundational distinctions. He called for Mennonites to practice nonresistance
, which is separate from nonviolent resistance
. While some would argue for pacifism
as a method of combating injustice, Hershberger thought that most nonviolent resistance went too far. He rejected violence but was also deeply skeptical about utilizing coercion
. According to Hershberger, strike
s, boycott
s, and demonstration
s often lacked love for one's enemies.
However he also believed that the individual and the church had to put their beliefs into practice to validate them. it was important to note that in this way, his committee work and church responsibility were the embodiment of his ethical theology.
Hershberger added an academic legitimacy to Mennonite thought. Along with Harold S. Bender
, he was important in promoting Mennonite Historical Studies and establishing a scholarly Mennonite ethical conversation.
His personal records are held at the Mennonite Church USA Archives
.
Mennonite
The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations named after the Frisian Menno Simons , who, through his writings, articulated and thereby formalized the teachings of earlier Swiss founders...
theologian, educator, historian, and prolific author particularly in the field of Mennonite ethics.
Life
Born in Johnson County, Iowa, to Ephraim D. and Dorinda Kempf Hershberger, Hershberger was one of nine children. He was baptized in 1909 at his home congregationCongregation
A congregation is a large gathering of people, often for the purpose of worship:* Local church* Congregation , an administrative body of the Roman Catholic Church...
of East Union Amish Mennonite Church, where Sanford C. Yoder was pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
. He began work as an educator immediately out of high school in 1915 as a teacher in rural schools, where he remained for five years until his marriage to Clara Hooley on 1 August 1920. They had two children who survived into adulthood; Elizabeth (Bauman), born in 1924, and Paul, born 1934. Hershberger then pursued further education, first in the form of an undergraduate degree at Hesston College and then a MA and PhD at the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
, where his dissertation was on Quaker Politics in Colonial America
Colonial America
The colonial history of the United States covers the history from the start of European settlement and especially the history of the thirteen colonies of Britain until they declared independence in 1776. In the late 16th century, England, France, Spain and the Netherlands launched major...
. All the while he worked first as a teacher at Heston Academy (1923–24) and then began his long career as a professor of history, sociology, and ethics at Goshen College
Goshen College
Goshen College, is a private Mennonite liberal arts college in Goshen, Indiana, USA with an enrollment of around 1,000 students. The college is accredited by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities...
(1925–1966).
In addition to his work as an educator, Hershberger served as chairman of the (Mennonite Church) Committee on Economic and Social Relations (Industrial Relations) from 1939-1965. In 1959, he joined the Mennonite Church's Peace Problems Committee. He played a pivotal role in founding Mennonite Mutual Aid and the Mennonite Community Association. He helped to found the Mennonite Quarterly Review
Mennonite Quarterly Review
The Mennonite Quarterly Review is an interdisciplinary review journal devoted to Anabaptist and Mennonite history, theology, and contemporary issues. Published continuously since its conception in 1927 by Harold S. Bender and the Mennonite Historical Society, the journal is now a cooperative...
where he was an editor from 1963–1965 and was on the board of the Mennonite Historical Society, the Mennonite Quarterly Review, and Studies in Anabaptist and Mennonite History. Hershberger was the preeminent Anabaptist-Mennonite historian of his generation.
After spending part of his retirement in Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, Hershberger returned to Goshen where he died in 1989. He was survived by his two children, Elizabeth and Paul.
Thought and Legacy
Throughout his work, Hershberger maintained a strict biblicalism. It was in part due to JesusJesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
' call to love one's enemies that Hershberger made one of his most foundational distinctions. He called for Mennonites to practice nonresistance
Nonresistance
Nonresistance is generally defined as "the practice or principle of not resisting authority, even when it is unjustly exercised". At its core is discouragement of, even opposition to, physical resistance to an enemy...
, which is separate from nonviolent resistance
Nonviolent resistance
Nonviolent resistance is the practice of achieving goals through symbolic protests, civil disobedience, economic or political noncooperation, and other methods, without using violence. It is largely synonymous with civil resistance...
. While some would argue for pacifism
Pacifism
Pacifism is the opposition to war and violence. The term "pacifism" was coined by the French peace campaignerÉmile Arnaud and adopted by other peace activists at the tenth Universal Peace Congress inGlasgow in 1901.- Definition :...
as a method of combating injustice, Hershberger thought that most nonviolent resistance went too far. He rejected violence but was also deeply skeptical about utilizing coercion
Coercion
Coercion is the practice of forcing another party to behave in an involuntary manner by use of threats or intimidation or some other form of pressure or force. In law, coercion is codified as the duress crime. Such actions are used as leverage, to force the victim to act in the desired way...
. According to Hershberger, strike
Strike
Strike may refer to:-Refusal to work or perform:* Strike action, also known as a walkout, a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to perform work...
s, boycott
Boycott
A boycott is an act of voluntarily abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with a person, organization, or country as an expression of protest, usually for political reasons...
s, and demonstration
Demonstration
Demonstration may refer to:* Demonstration , a political rally or protest* Demonstration , a conclusive mathematical proof* Demonstration , a method of teaching by example rather than simple explanation...
s often lacked love for one's enemies.
However he also believed that the individual and the church had to put their beliefs into practice to validate them. it was important to note that in this way, his committee work and church responsibility were the embodiment of his ethical theology.
Hershberger added an academic legitimacy to Mennonite thought. Along with Harold S. Bender
Harold S. Bender
Harold Stauffer Bender was a prominent professor of theology at Goshen College and Goshen Biblical Seminary. His accomplishments include founding both the Mennonite Historical Library and the Mennonite Quarterly Review...
, he was important in promoting Mennonite Historical Studies and establishing a scholarly Mennonite ethical conversation.
His personal records are held at the Mennonite Church USA Archives
Mennonite Church USA Archives
The Mennonite Church USA Archives was founded in 2001 under the denominational merger of the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church...
.
Works
- Can Christians Fight (1940)
- Christian Relationships to State and Community: Mennonites and Their Heritage (1942)
- War, Peace, and Nonresistance (1944) (revised in 1953 and 1969)
- The Mennonite Church in the Second World War (1951)
- The Way of the Cross in Human Relations (1957)
Further reading
- War, Peace, and Social Conscience: Guy F. Hershberger and Mennonite Ethics (Herald Press, 2009) ISBN 9780836194265